Lifelong resident takes on appointee for Lynnwood council post

LYNNWOOD — A pastor and a small-business owner are vying for Lynnwood City Council Position 1 in the Nov. 5 general election.

Christopher Boyer, 53, was appointed to the council in late 2012. If elected, he wants to work on issues such as street maintenance, responsible development on Highway 99 and homelessness, he said.

“We have to balance the need for development with the very understandable desires of folks to protect their neighborhoods,” he said.

Michael Moore, 40, grew up in Lynnwood and resides in his childhood home. He feels that City Hall has been unresponsive to people’s needs, he said.

“I could better represent people because I know Lynnwood and I’ve lived here all my life,” he said.

Boyer noted that the city’s finances are stronger than they were a couple of years ago. The council has been “making a good effort” to address the problems noted by the state auditors, he said.

Lynnwood is out of room to expand its roads, so light rail could be the best long-term solution, Boyer said. If the city’s golf course doesn’t begin turning a profit, he’d like to find another purpose for the property.

Moore would like to see the return of parades and other community events to Lynnwood.

“It just seems like we’ve lost all of that,” he said.

During the economic downturn, Moore had to make cuts to save his parking lot maintenance and striping business. He’d apply those money-saving skills at the city, he said.

Moore also is concerned about how plans for light rail will affect Lynnwood’s neighborhoods and property values. South Snohomish County communities need to work together on their traffic woes, he said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Meet the candidates

The job: At stake is a four-year term on the Lynnwood City Council. Council members receive $1,650 per month or $19,800 a year. The council president receives $1,850 per month or $22,200.

Christopher Boyer

Age: 53

Experience: Appointed to the City Council in December 2012. Longtime pastor and nonprofit executive. Chaired Lynnwood arts commission and served on the city’s community grants committee and worked on plans for the emergency cold shelter network.